Page 4 - FWG Issue 7 August 2024

Estate News

MESSAGE FROM THE ESTATE MANAGER

Dear Residents,

uly brought us Mandela Day, Arbor Day will be marked on the last
Springbok rugby matches (with plenty Saturday of August with a special EcoKids
more this year still), the launch of the event to plant trees. City Parks’ Dr Joseph
J2024 Olympics and the conclusion Ndou has made another astounding
of the first stage of the river project at the commitment to our urban forest, and to
Phase 2 Karob Park (soccer park). hear more, you’ll have to make sure your
children are in attendance!
Another milestone passed in July was the
HOA’s Annual General Meeting held on We expect another fully attended EcoKids,
Wednesday, 31 July 2024, and we thank so book as soon as the posters and
the residents for their participation and communications go out for this not-to-
contribution to a productive assembly as be-missed event. In September, we will
the estate’s course for the next 12 months see a cultural cook-off for Heritage Day
of our multi-year plan was decided. At and (spoiler alert!) in October we will host
the AGM, we also outlined numerous our very first cycle championship, with
achievements, and it would be remiss of Coach Smish on board to ensure that it is
me not to convey our gratitude to the a standout demonstration of our facilities
2023/2024 Board of Directors for the and our residents’ cycle skills!
countless hours and exceptional hard work
they have devoted to the betterment of Charlene Marlin, Estate Manager The Gardens Bistro’s new menu, released at
Fourways Gardens Residential Estate. the end of June, has had mouths watering,
and we’re sure that you’ve found some go-to favourites and
The devotion and commitment of our Board of Directors is evident tempting dishes to try! The second Murder Mystery Dinner was
in the many improvements that have already been noticeable – held in July, along with the popular Kid’s Movie screening in the
more recently, street signage to meet JRA regulations, waterway hall over the school holidays (the perfect antidote to the winter chill
desilting, and construction of a new pedestrian bridge in the Phase and early sunsets of July).
2 soccer park.
Big screen rugby kept us on the edge of our seats, and as the
weather warms, the braver among us will be found on the patio
August is, of course, synonymous with Women’s Day. We celebrate
this day on August 9, and not with International Women’s Day in and lawns enjoying remarkable sunsets again! The HOA and The
March, because on this date in 1956, 20,000 women marched to the Gardens Bistro social calendars are ramping up to our high season,
Union Buildings to protest curtailed human rights in our country. As so keep your eyes on the newsletter, posters and social media for
the proverb goes, “When sleeping women wake, mountains move”. news and details of upcoming exciting events.
I look forward to sharing more details of projects and achievements
As a society, we all reap the benefits of these brave women’s in upcoming magazines. Resident feedback received on the survey
actions, and we must continue to strive for a more equitable released in July has confirmed that the HOA and Board of Directors
society with opportunities for all, especially marginalised girls and are putting their energies in the right direction, and we are working
women. Our 2023/2024 Board of Directors had two formidable on plans to address concerns and annoyances highlighted in the
women, Lisa Hovgaard (Chairperson, June 2023 to January 2024 survey, which are not already in place.
and Communications and Events Portfolio Director) and Cheryl
Whitaker (Human Resources Portfolio Director).
The engagement of the Fourways Gardens Community in the
survey, AGM, Mandela Day Collection Drive and social events
Lisa and Cheryl have been instrumental in guiding processes to results in an estate that is greater than the sum of its parts.
further the estate’s goals and best practices; I have been very
fortunate to have worked with them this past year. The HOA Sincerely,
likewise has no shortage of strong and dynamic women, with
Hazel, Margaret, Elmine and Katlego always going the extra mile Charlene Marlin
and keeping Rudy, Francois and Ricardo on their toes!

Fourways Gardens • 2 • August 2024